NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Dallas Cowboys
FACTS AND STATS
2015 finish: Fourth, NFC East
Record: 4-12
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 3-3
TOTAL OFFENSE: 335.1 (222nd)
RUSHING: 118.1 (9th)
PASSING: 216.9 (27th)
TOTAL DEFENSE: 348.1 (17th)
RUSHING: 120.9 (T22nd)
PASSING: 227.3 (5th)
COACH: Jason Garrett
6th full season as Cowboys/NFL head coach
46-44 overall; 1-1 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–Jason Garrett preaches about character and wanting the right kind of guy in his locker room. Yet the Cowboys had six players suspended in the last three seasons, including two to start 2016. And then there is the annual problem, quarterback Tony Romo getting injured. Can you say Mark Sanchez?
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Dak Prescott. Backups — Mark Sanchez, Tony Romo
RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Ezekiel Elliott, FB Keith Smith. Backups — Lance Dunbar, FB Rod Smith, Alfred Morris, Darius Jackson
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Jason Witten. Backups — Gavin Escobar, Geoff Swaim
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams. Backups — Cole Beasley, Lucky Whitehead, Brice Butler
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Tyron Smith, LG La’el Collins, C Travis Frederick, RG Zack Martin, RT Doug Free. Backups — G Joe Looney, G Ron Leary, T Chaz Green
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters –DLE DeMarcus Lawrence, DLT Tyrone Crawford, DRT Terrell McClain, DRE Benson Mayowa. Backups — DE Charles Tapper, DE Jack Crawford, DT Cedric Thornton, DE David Irving, DT Maliek Collins
LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Sean Lee, MLB Justin Durant, SLB Anthony Hitchens. Backups — SLB Kyle Wilber, OLB Mark Nzeocha, OLB Andrew Gachkar, WLB Damien Wilson
DEFENSIVE BACKS: LCB Brandon Carr, RCB Orlando Scandrick, SS Barry Church, FS Byron Jones. Backups — S J.J. Wilcox, S Jeff Heath, CB Morris Claiborne, CB Anthony Brown, S Kavon Frazier, CB Dax Swanson
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Dan Bailey, P Chris Jones, KOR Lucky Whitehead, PR Lucky Whitehead, LS Louis-Philippe Ladouceur
PRACTICE SQUAD: QB Jameill Showers, TE Rico Gathers, WR Andy Jones, C Jake Brendel, LB Deon King, WR Vince Mayle, DE Ryan Russell, TE Austin Traylor
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, N.Y. GIANTS, 3:25
Sept. 18, at Washington, 12:00
Sept. 25, CHICAGO, 7:30
Oct. 2, at San Francisco, 3:25
Oct. 9, CINCINNATI, 3:25
Oct. 16, at Green Bay, 3:25
OPEN DATE
Oct. 30, PHILADELPHIA, 7:30
Nov. 6, at Cleveland, 12:00
Nov. 13, at Pittsburgh, 3:25
Nov. 20, BALTIMORE, 12:00
Nov. 24, WASHINGTON (Thu.), 3:30
Dec. 1, at Minnesota (Thu.), 7:25
Dec. 11, at N.Y. Giants, 7:30
Dec. 18, TAMPA BAY, 12:00
Dec. 26, DETROIT (Mon.), 7:30
Jan. 1, at Philadelphia, 12:00
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: New York Giants
FACTS AND STATS
2015 Finish: Third, NFC East
Record: 6-10
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 2-4
TOTAL OFFENSE: 372.3 (8th)
RUSHING: 100.6 (19th)
PASSING: 271.7 (7th)
TOTAL DEFENSE: 420.3 (32nd)
RUSHING: 121.4: (24th)
PASSING: 298.9 (32nd)
COACH: Ben McAdoo
1st season as Giants/NFL head coach
XTRA FACTOR
-The Giants must break a three-year streak as the most injured team in the NFL. Will the addition of new strength and conditioning coach Aaron Wellman and his forward-thinking ways be what the doctor ordered? With a focus on movement combined with a change in the players’ in-season schedule to optimize rest and recovery, the team has its fingers, toes and eyes crossed that Wellman’s methods customized to each player finally get the injury bug under control.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Eli Manning. Backups — Ryan Nassib, Josh Johnson
RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Rashad Jennings. Backups — Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa, Bobby Rainey, Paul Perkins
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Larry Donnell. Backups — Will Tye, Jerell Adams
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, Victor Cruz. Backups — Dwayne Harris, Roger Lewis, Jr. Tavarres King
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Ereck Flowers, LG Justin Pugh, C Weston Richburg, RG John Jerry, RT Marshall Newhouse. Backups — T Will Beatty, G/T Bobby Hart, G/C Brett Jones
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — RDE Olivier Vernon, RDT Johnathan Hankins, LDT Damon Harrison, LDE Jason Pierre-Paul. Backups — DE Owa Odighizuwa, DE Kerry Wynn, DE Romeo Okwara, DT Jay Bromley, DT Robert Thomas
LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Devon Kennard, MLB Kelvin Sheppard, WLB Jonathan Casillas. Backups — J.T. Thomas III, Keenan Robinson, B.J. Goodson, Mark Herzlich
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — RCB Janoris Jenkins, SS Landon Collins, FS Darian Thompson, LCB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Backups — S Nat Berhe, S Mykkele Thompson, CB Trevin Wade, CB Eli Apple, CB Leon Hall.
SPECIAL TEAMS: P Brad Wing, LS Zak DeOssie, K Randy Bullock, KOR/PR Dwayne Harris, K Josh Brown (suspended one game).
PRACTICE SQUAD: QB Logan Thomas, WR Geremy Davis, WR Darius Powe, C/G Adam Gettis, OL Shane McDermott, DE Stansly Maponga, LB Ishaq Williams, CB Donte Deayon, CB Michael Hunter, S Andrew Adams
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, at Dallas, 4:25
Sept. 18, NEW ORLEANS, 1:00
Sept. 25, WASHINGTON, 1:00
Oct. 3, at Minnesota (Mon.), 8:30
Oct. 9, at Green Bay, 8:30
Oct. 16, BALTIMORE, 1:00
Oct. 23, at Los Angeles (London), 9:30
OPEN DATE
Nov. 6, PHILADELPHIA, 1:00
Nov. 14, CINCINNATI (Mon.), 8:30
Nov. 20, CHICAGO, 1:00
Nov. 27, at Cleveland, 1:00
Dec. 4, at Pittsburgh, 4:25
Dec. 11, DALLAS, 8:30
Dec. 18, DETROIT, 1:00
Dec. 22, at Philadelphia (Thu.), 8:25
Jan. 1, at Washington, 1:00
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Philadelphia Eagles
FACTS AND STATS
2015 finish: Second, NFC East
RECORD: 7-9
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 3-3
TOTAL OFFENSE: 364.4 (12th)
RUSHING: 108.9 (14th)
PASSING: 255.4 (12th)
TOTAL DEFENSE: 401.6 (30th)
RUSHING: 134.6 (32nd)
PASSING: 267.1 (28th)
COACH: Doug Pederson
1st season as Eagles/NFL head coach
XTRA FACTOR
–Quarterback Carson Wentz, the No. 2 overall selection in the draft, makes the jump from North Dakota State to the NFL. He was named the starter this week when veteran Sam Bradford was traded to Minnesota. Worth watching.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter – Carson Wentz. Backup – Chase Daniel
RUNNING BACKS: Starter – Ryan Mathews. Backups – Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood, Kenjon Barner
TIGHT ENDS: Starter – Zach Ertz. Backups – Brent Celek, Trey Burton
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters – Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff. Backups — Dorial Green-Beckham, Bryce Treggs
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Jason Peters, LG Allen Barbre, C Jason Kelce, RG Brandon Brooks, RT Lane Johnson. Backups – Matt Tobin, Isaac Seumalo, Stefen Wisniewski, Vaitai Halapoulivaati, Josh Andrews, Dillon Gordon
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LDE Connor Barwin, LDT Bennie Logan, RDT Fletcher Cox, RDE Brandon Graham. Backups – Vinny Curry, Marcus Smith, Beau Allen, Bryan Braman, Steven Means, Destiny Vaeao
LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Nigel Bradham, MLB Jordan Hicks, WLB Mychal Kendricks. Backups – Stephen Tulloch, Kamu Grugier-Hill
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters – CB Leodis McKelvin, CB Nolan Carroll, S Rodney McLeod, S Malcolm Jenkins. Backups – Eric Rowe, Ron Brooks, Jalen Mills, Terrence Brooks, Chris Maragos, Jaylen Watkins
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Caleb Sturgis, P Donnie Jones, LS Jon Dorenbos, KR Josh Huff, PR Darren Sproles
PRACTICE SQUAD: RB Andrew Bonnet, LB Don Cherry, LB Quentin Gause, G Darrell Greene, WR Marcus Johnson, RB Byron Marshall, C Aaron Neary, DT Aziz Shittu, WR David Watford
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, CLEVELAND, 1:00
Sept. 19, at Chicago (Mon.), 8:30
Sept. 25, PITTSBURGH, 4:25
OPEN DATE
Oct. 9, at Detroit, 1:00
Oct. 16, at Washington, 1:00
Oct. 23, MINNESOTA, 1:00
Oct. 30, at Dallas, 8:30
Nov. 6, at N.Y. Giants, 1:00
Nov. 13, ATLANTA, 1:00
Nov. 20, at Seattle, 4:25
Nov. 28, GREEN BAY (Mon.), 8:30
Dec. 4, at Cincinnati, 1:00
Dec. 11, WASHINGTON, 1:00
Dec. 18, at Baltimore, 1:00
Dec. 22, N.Y. GIANTS (Thu.), 8:25
Jan. 1, DALLAS, 1:00
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Washington Redskins
FACTS AND STATS
2015 finish: First, NFC East
RECORD: 9-7, 0-1 in postseason
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 4-2
TOTAL OFFENSE: 353.8 (17th)
RUSHING: 97.9 (20th)
PASSING: 255.9 (11th)
TOTAL DEFENSE: 380.6 (28th)
RUSHING: 122.6 (26th)
PASSING: 258.0 (25th)
COACH: Jay Gruden
3rd season as Redskins/NFL head coach
13-20 overall; 0-1 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–Departed safety Dashon Goldson and defensive end Jason Hatcher were respected voices in the locker room. So was fullback Darrel Young. And nose tackle Terrance Knighton started daily card games in the locker room that brought players together. That’s a lot of leadership to replace. Most of it will fall on the shoulders of left tackle Trent Williams and safety DeAngelo Hall.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Kirk Cousins. Backups — Colt McCoy, Nate Sudfeld
RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Matt Jones. Backups — Chris Thompson, Robert Kelley
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Jordan Reed. Backups — Niles Paul, Vernon Davis
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder. Backups — Josh Doctson, Ryan Grant, Rashad Ross
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: Starters — LT Trent Williams, LG Spencer Long, C Kory Lichtensteiger, RG Brandon Scherff, RT Morgan Moses. Backups — G Shawn Lauvao, G Arie Kouandjio, T Ty Nsekhe, C Austin Reiter
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DLE Chris Baker, NT Kedric Golston, RDE Rickey Jean Francois. Backups — NT Ziggy Hood, DE Kendall Reyes, DE Anthony Lanier
LINEBACKERS: Starters — MLB Will Compton, JLB Mason Foster, SLB Ryan Kerrigan, WLB Preston Smith. Backups –OLB Houston Bates, OLB Trent Murphy, ILB Martrell Spaight, ILB Su’a Cravens, ILB Terence Garvin
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Josh Norman, RCB Bashaud Breeland, SS David Bruton Jr., FS DeAngelo Hall. Backups — CB Quinton Dunbar, CB Greg Toler, CB Kendall Fuller, CB Dashaun Phillips, FS Will Blackmon, SS Duke Ihenacho, S Deshazor Everett
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Dustin Hopkins, P Tress Way, LS Nick Sundberg, KOR Rashad Ross, PR Jamison Crowder
PRACTICE SQUAD: OLB Lynden Trail, DT Matt Ioannidis, G Nila Kasitati, T Vinston Painter, T Isaiah Williams, TE Wes Saxton, DE Louis Nix, RB Mack Brown, WR Maurice Harris, WR Kendal Thompson
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 12, PITTSBURGH (Mon.), 7:10
Sept. 18, DALLAS, 1:00
Sept. 25, at N.Y. Giants, 1:00
Oct. 2, CLEVELAND, 1:00
Oct. 9, at Baltimore, 1:00
Oct. 16, PHILADELPHIA, 1:00
Oct. 23, at Detroit, 1:00
Oct. 30, at Cincinnati (London), 9:30
OPEN DATE
Nov. 13, MINNESOTA, 1:00
Nov. 20, GREEN BAY, 8:30
Nov. 24, at Dallas (Thu.), 4:30
Dec. 4, at Arizona, 4:25
Dec. 11, at Philadelphia, 1:00
Dec. 19, CAROLINA (Mon.), 8:30
Dec. 24, at Chicago (Sat.), 1:00
Jan. 1, N.Y. GIANTS, 1:00